Japan National Tourism Organization | Japan In-depth | Cultural Quintessence | Experience Japanese Culture | Traditional Costumes Traditional Culture Traditional Costumes The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan, and it is worn nowadays on formal occasions. It is sometimes accused of being an impractical form of dress, but it has the advantage of giving the wearer a graceful and elegant deportment. There are various different types of kimono for use at different times and on different occasions. Women's kimono include the furisodé and tomesodé for formal wear, the hômongi for paying calls, the tsukesagé, and the komon. Men's kimono include the montsuki hakama for ceremonial occasions and the haori for going out visiting. There is also the yukata, worn by both men and women as informal dress at home, in ryokan or for attending local festivals. The shape of kimono is fixed, and individuality is achieved by careful selection of the material, the style of weaving and dyeing, the color, and the pattern, as well as by the choice of obi.

(c)JTB2000 JAPANESE KIMONO DRESS - Go Japan Go Japanese Kimono Dress Copyright 2001 - 2014 Mi Marketing Pty Ltd. ACN 098 375 145 trading as GoJapanGo.com and Go Japan Go. All Trademarks belong to their respective owners. JAPANESE KIMONO DRESS The Japanese kimono dress is not really a dress in the typical Western style. The Japanese kimono is a traditional form of dress worn by both Japanese sexes. Traditional Dress from East Asia Traditional Dress from East Asia Kimono, 1910-1930. Museum no. FE.144-2002. Traditional clothing from the East Asian countries of Japan, China and Korea tends to conceal the form of the body. With some exceptions, it is the surface decoration of dress from Japan and China, and the striking plain colour combinations of Korean clothes that hold our attention. There are few pleats, frills or darts to be found in East Asian dress. A crucial point about T-shaped garments from East Asia is that the cut is closely related to the loom width of the fabric used.

Kimonos from Japan, for example, are made of narrow pieces of fabric sewn together with the minimum of cutting. Nowadays the standard width for the fabric used to make kimonos is about 34cm. Chinese robes use a wider width of fabric, which is shaped to form one half of the main body and the upper part of the sleeve. A typical Chinese loom width for a nineteenth-century man's dragon robe was around 60cm. Korean loom widths vary considerably but tend to be narrow . East Asian garments generally open down the front. They are put on like a coat. In the past, because there was no need to pull the garment over the head, elaborate hairstyles and a range of hats were adopted by both men and women. Japan Kimono, Japan, early 19th century. Museum no. FE.28-1984. Fabric to make up a Japanese kimono is purchased in a set length called a tan. This is about 11.7m long and about 34cm wide and is enough for one garment. Two long pieces are cut from this to make up the front and back left and the front and back right respectively.

A vertical seam at the centre back joins the two sections, and further lengths are folded over and seamed to the body to form sleeves. Sleeve depths vary from garment to garment. There is no seam across the shoulders, a feature common to other East Asian clothes. The edges around the neck and front opening are bound with a straight fold of material and this completes the distinctive T-shape garment. The kimono, literally `the thing worn', is the classic garment for both men and women. Traditionally, kimonos were worn layer upon layer. The number of layers related to the importance of the wearer; in the most extreme cases so many would be worn that the wearer could scarcely move. In reality, most women's kimonos are more intricate in structure than just described, having additional material on each side of the front opening and an extra neckband. Outer kimonos for formal wear often have an interlining and a lining. Traditionally, this lining was orangey-red in colour and curved up around the hemline so that it was visible on the outside. This plain hem was wadded and served to weigh down the skirt so that it trailed elegantly.

All kimonos are fastened with a sash called an obi which fits comfortably round the waist and under the hanging sleeves. The sleeves are not completely joined to the body at the armholes for this purpose. Many early 20th-century kimono are made from meisen, a fabric woven from silk obtained from defective cocoons. The introduction of mechanised spinning technology meant it was possible to use this lower-quality silk to create a thick, lustrous material that was both long-lasting and relatively inexpensive. Patterned with chemical dyes using an innovative direct-dyeing technique, meisen became the fabric of choice for women's fashionable, casual kimono. Japanese Kimono, Traditional Japanese Clothing Kimonorobe Store Japanese Kimono The Japanese Kimono is famed as the traditional Japanese clothing, but beyond such name and elegant design is the rich history of Japan that is stitched within their mesmerizing fabric, which features colors and prints that reflect the Japanese people's eye for all things of beauty. Have a Japanese tea ceremony, an Asian party, Asian wedding, and a casual or special occasion that requires you or your child to wear the Japanese traditional clothing?

Then look no further and dress for your event with confidence as we got here for you a highly curated selection of authentic Japanese kimonos for your need, plus all the basic accessories that you need to wear them with. Show Sort by : Shop Japanese Kimono and Kimono Robes Japanese kimonos are one of the world's most beautiful traditional clothing and if you are need of one for costume, for Asian parties, for tea ceremonies, Asian events, business promotion, gifts, and more, then look no more beyond the borders and beyond our online store as this section of KimonoRobeStore.com holds your curated selection of genuine Japanese kimonos and kimono robes from Japan and China. Hand-picked for their exquisite workmanship, the suitability of their fabric and designs for both casual and formal environments, and their growing popularity in Asia as the Japanese kimono and kimono robe of choice for casual and formal events, gifts, and souvenirs, these Japanese kimonos and kimono robes are a fail-safe option for your need of the Japanese kimono as a traditional Japanese clothing, Asian clothing, gift, or souvenir. Need to shop Japanese kimono sets for that upcoming short-notice special occasion or casual event?

Then our Japanese kimono sets, which consist of a Japanese kimono with pre-tied obi and obijime, are your best bet. So look no farther and shop Japanese kimonos, Japanese kimono sets, and kimono robes here on KimonoRobeStore.com and let their modern colors, traditional Japanese patterns, easy-to-wear fabrics, and competitive prices sweep you into the colorful and modern world of the traditional Japanese clothing. What is a Kimono? Kimono is a Japanese term that originally translates to clothing or something to wear, but until the recent years, it has been more specifically referred to the traditional Japanese clothing for women, which is an ankle-length, straight-cut, and wrap-around dress that features long and wide sleeves and secured at the waist with a wide sash, called obi. The emphasis on a Japanese kimono's design basically lies in the patterns and colors of their fabric, thus, it has not become prone to trend and style changes, unlike the Western clothing. Also, while men prefer kimono robes with simple patterns and made of dark-colored fabrics, women usually prefer Japanese kimonos with cheerful patterns and colorful designs.

The kimono comes in a multitude of styles – from those that are right as everyday kimono, for casual celebrations, and special occasions, and which reflect the status of their wearer. How to Wear a Japanese Kimono? Japanese kimonos are typically worn over a set of kimono undergarments , like the juban, han-juban, and susoyoke. Kimono undergarments, initially, were made to protect the ancient Japanese wearers from the cold weather in Japan, but today, they have become more of a protective underclothing for the kimono. Wearing the Japanese tabi socks is the first step to dressing up in a Japanese kimono, followed by the kimono underclothing, the kimono robe itself, and then the tying of the obi .

Occasions for Wearing the Japanese Kimono Japanese kimonos are now considered as traditional Japanese clothing and usually reserved for special occasions, like attending tea ceremony; weddings; the Coming-of-Age Day, which is an annual national holiday that aims to encourage 20-year old Japanese to become self-reliant members of the society; graduation ceremonies, and, Shichi-Go-San Festival, which is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5, to celebrate the growth of being young children. The Japanese kimono also adds color to the Japanese New Year, Hanami Festival (cherry blossom-viewing), summer festivals in Japan, special ceremonies, and other special occasions celebrated by the Japanese. Basic Types of Japanese Kimono Know which type of Japanese kimono to wear for everyday use, casual celebrations, and formal occasions by having the following basic types of Japanese kimono for your kimono buying guide: Japanese kimono, particularly, for formal occasions are of different styles for the married and unmarried women, distinguished for their long arms, and include the following: Furisode Kimono. A very colorful kimono for a single Japanese girl or woman.

It features extra long, swinging sleeves, which signify that she is unmarried and is a legal adult, and worn at the Coming-of-Age Day, graduation ceremony, wedding party of relatives, and formal party. Tomesode Dress. A formal Japanese kimono for married women and is of two (2) types: Kuro-tomesode: A black tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women that features an image of five (5) family crests, a colorful design on the bottom of the dress or below the waistline, and usually worn with a gold obi or an obi sash that matches the design on the bottom of the dress. It is worn by the mother or close family member of the bride or groom to a Japanese wedding ceremony. Irotomesode: A colored tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women. In terms of design, it is similar to the kuro-tomesode in that it features designs below the waistline only and can be worn at weddings by married women who are not closely related to the bride or groom and other festive occasions. Homongi. Formal kimono dress for married women.

It takes over the role of the Furisode and worn at a wedding party, tea ceremony, graduation ceremony, and other formal occasions. Kakeshita. An elaborate type of Furisode, which is worn under an Uchikake or on its own. Typically, a white Kakeshita is worn on top of a white Uchikake, and a colorful kakeshita is worn under a colorful uchikake. Bridal Kimono. The Japanese bride wears several kimonos on her wedding day, including the: Shiromoku. A white, heavily-embroidered kimono worn by the Japanese bride on the wedding ceremony itself or on a wedding in a shrine, often matched with an elaborate headpiece, called a tsunokakushi. Uchikake. This highly formal kimono is the ornate and unbelted, often colorful, and the most exuberant bridal kimono worn by the bride at the wedding reception. It is usually brocaded, heavily embroidered, or painted, have a thickly-padded hem and a trail, and worn over another kimono, called the Kakeshita.

Casual kimono for women, on the other hand, include the: Tukesage. Semi-formal kimono for women and distinguished for its design that is facing upwards. It is worn on a party, tea ceremony, and important events. Komon. The "normal" kimono dress for women and characterized for the very small patterns that lie everywhere in the kimono. It is worn at a house party and when going out around town. Iromuji. Solid-colored kimonos usually pastel-hued. It can be worn on any occasion, but when it features the family crest, it becomes a formal kimono. Susohiki. Mostly worn by geishas or by traditional Japanese dance performers. This kimono for women is long enough to trail on the floor and is padded at the hem. Kimono for Men. They are, typically, dark-colored or feature simple patterns. The most formal style of kimono is plain black silk with five kamon on the chest, shoulders and back, while slightly less formal is the three-kamon kimono. Other types of Japanese Clothing for Men and Women Kimono for Summer.

They are typically unlined to keep their user cool during the warm summer months and include the: Yukata . A light cotton kimono robe that is used by men and women during the summer months and after bathing at hot spring resorts or traditional inns. Originally worn to the bath house by the upper class and made of plain white cotton, the yukata became popular among the common people and were often stencil-dyed. Jinbei. A casual, summer kimono consisting of a pair of shorts wrap-type top and matching shorts. Hakama. A general term for the wide-legged trousers or pleated, skirt-like garment that is tied at the waist and worn with kimono, except with the yukata. Both men and women wear the hakama on certain Japanese martial arts, like archery, and because it increases the formality of the kimono, men wear it frequently on formal occasions, like tea ceremonies and weddings, and women wear it almost exclusively on graduation ceremonies. Japanese Kimono Jackets . Consisting of the haori, happi coats, kimono rain coat, and more, Japanese kimono jackets are worn by both and women over a kimono for added warmth, protection, and for enhancing the formal look of your kimono.

Mofuku. A black kimono for men and women that is worn exclusively to a funeral of a close family or friend. It features five (5) family crests and has to be worn with black accessories, except for the undergarment and tabi socks. Learn more about the History of the Kimono and tips on How to Wear the Kimono and Yukata Robe here on KimonoRobeStore.com. References: Kimonos - Housing, Food, and Clothes - Explore Japan - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan Kids Web Japan Q. When do people wear kimonos, and how are they worn? Kids dress up in their finest clothes to celebrate the Shichi-go-san festival. A. The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan. It's got long sleeves and reaches from the shoulders all the way down to one's heels. Different types of kimono are worn depending on the occasion; kimonos for everyday wear are a lot simpler than those for formal occasions. The kimono usually just comes in one size, although distinctions are made between what men, women, and children wear.

When choosing which kimono to wear, people think about the designs and materials that best match the season and how well it goes with the belt, which, in the case of women's formal attire, is about 10 inches wide and is elaborately decorated. Most kimonos are made of silk, although they also come in cotton, wool, and linen. Compared to Western dress, the kimono tends to limit one's movement, and it takes more time to wear and store properly. So most Japanese today wear kimonos only on special occasions like formal gatherings and traditional events. Examples include the New Year holidays, the Shichi-go-san festival to pray for the healthy growth of children, weddings and funerals, the coming-of-age ceremony to mark one's twentieth birthday, and the graduation ceremony. Except for the Shichi-go-san festival for kids, it's usually just the women who wear kimonos. In the summer, though, a special type of light, cotton kimono is worn when attending local festivals and fireworks displays. Regular kimonos can accommodate wearers of all heights and sizes because their length and width are adjusted using an assortment of strings.

In wearing a kimono, women first put on a pair of tabi (socks split between the big toe and other toes), then put on a hada-juban undergarment and naga-juban inner kimono, holding them in place with a string around the waist. The outer kimono is then worn, its length being adjusted with another string around the torso. Finally, the belt is fastened with an ornamental knot. A woman in traditional Japanese kimono. When going outside, a kimono is not worn with shoes, but with a pair of zori or geta, two kinds of footwear with thongs. A typical ensemble for women requires more than 10 separate items, including three or four types of string. Men's kimonos are easier to wear, but a complete outfit usually also requires a haori half coat and hakama trousers. Photos:Tokyo Metropolitan Government and AFLO Traditional Japanese Footwear | wafuku – noun: traditional Japanese clothing Welcome to my WordPress blog ————————- Traditional Japanese Footwear Traditional Japanese footwear tends to have thong toes, like modern day flip-flops.

The thong part is called the hanao and can usually be replaced if it is damaged or a change is wanted. The thong between the toe is believed to press on acupressure points, aiding the body. This kind of footwear could be easily made using nothing more than woven and twisted reeds, the woven reeds providing a sole, the twisted reed providing the string for the hanao or to simply tie the sole onto the foot. While wafuku (traditional Japanese clothing) can be very complicated and time consuming to put on, the fastening of it is done with just simple ties, although the different and very specific knots used for each tie can be somewhat complex. This simplicity meant almost anyone could make themselves simple footwear. You can see a pair of tatami, waraji sandals below. Waraji tatami sandals The traditional footwear worn with kimonos is, for women, geta or zori. The spelling of zori varies a lot, you may see it as zouri or zoori.

Geta are wooden soled shoes, with solid platforms or with little stilts, called ha (teeth), on the bottom of the soles; they can be found with one, two or three teeth, the most usual being two. Paulownia wood is popular for geta. They are still worn nowadays and tend not to be too terribly high now, though, in the past their height was often much greater. The design of geta is a practical one; they keep the wearer’s expensive kimono from touching the ground and becoming dirty or damaged. Very high toothed geta were used in winter to keep the kimono off the snow. The wooden bases are sometimes ornately decorated. The images below show you a very plain vintage pair, a vintage pair of lacquered wood geta, an antique pair and a pair of ama geta, with toe covers, to keep the toes dry in rain. Plain wood geta Antique geta Ama geta, with removable toe covers, for rainwear Snow geta – the wooden teeth on the sole raise the kimono off the snow and the spikes give grip, like crampons.

Koi Antique Geta Geta based beauties by Kenzo Children’s Ashiato (footprints) Geta The prints are cat, tyrannosaurus, gecko, monkey and owl. Names of geta types Oiran’s Koma geta. Also known as mitsu-ashi (three legs) Oiran were high-ranking courtesans and prostitutes of the feudal period, considered a type of yujo (woman of pleasure), and they wore this tall, lacquered footwear called koma-geta (or mitsu-ashi – three legs). Unlike geisha and maiko, who only entertain by conversation, singing, musicianship and dancing, oiran were the hierarchy of prostitutes and courtesans in the pleasure quarters in Japan, of whom tayuu were the highest ranking oiran and considered suitable for the daimyo, who were the powerful territorial lords. Only the very wealthiest and highest ranking daimyo could ever hope to patronise tayuu. Whereas geisha and maiko wear tabi socks, the oiran preferred not to do so, even in winter, and their toes could be seen poking out, under many layers of kimono, while wearing these tall geta.

These ultra tall (about 25.5cm), three toothed geta helped differentiate oiran from geisha and maiko. Oiran became highly ritualised in many ways and, ultimately, the culture of the tayu grew increasingly rarefied and remote from everyday life and their clients dwindled. The last recorded oiran was in 1761. Their art and fashions often set trends among the wealthy and, because of this, cultural aspects of oiran traditions continue to be preserved to this day. The few remaining women still currently practicing the arts of the oiran (now without the sexual aspect) do so as a preservation of cultural heritage rather than as a profession or lifestyle. Maiko okobo Maiko (apprentice geisha) wear specific geta called okobo pokkuri; as you can see above. These geta increase the maiko’s height and ensure she walks in small, delicate steps, as everyone in a kimono is meant to, not in long strides. As soon as one is dressed in a kimono, obi and geta or zori, one almost automatically walks in little steps.

These geta are sometimes called pokkuri or koppori; both words are onomatopoeia, that is they represent the sound of walking in them. Pokkuri and Koppori are usually very ornate and worn by young girls on shichi-go-san (7-5-3) which is a celebration at ages 7, 5, and 3. Maiko’s okobo, however, are generally quite plain, made of unfinished wood. The colour of the straps indicates the rank or experience of the maiko, starting off with red hanao and ending their maiko days with yellow, shortly before becoming full Geisha. Geisha don’t wear okobo, they wear either standard geta or zori. Maiko footwear is exceedingly expensive and somewhat hard to find. Senryou geta Generally most Japanese people call this style of geta, with the slant-cut front on the underside, senryou-geta. The reason they are called this is that in the 37th year of Meiji (1904) the Russo-Japanese War started and was won by Japan. The Japanese Army then began to occupy many countries on the continent of Asia.

In those days, this style of geta, with the slant-cut front on the underside, was very popular in Tokyo. Someone named this style of geta, Senryou, or Senryou-geta because of the patriotic feeling of that time. One meaning of the word Senryou is “occupation”. This meaning was depicted by one particular kanji (Japanese text symbol) but many people felt that this use was very harsh and direct and that it showed an attitude that was not welcome, so, in order to keep the word but soften it, a different kanji began to be used. This different kanji had the same sound “Senryou” but its roots were very different. This new kanji became a lucky word and is still used today. Now the word Senryou means sen = 1000 and ryou = a currency unit from the Tokugawa Period (1603-1867). This high amount of money was considered large and lucky, so senryou-geta started out as meaning “occupation geta”, then, while it kept the same name, the meaning changed to that of being a “very lucky geta” or “great geta”.

Menkoi geta (cute geta) Round backed heel geta with the slant-cut front on the underside. Many years ago during a time in Japan when foreign shoe styles were becoming popular, Mr. Kunitaro was anxious about the future of the Japanese traditional shoe, geta. He made many different styles of geta from his own ideas and his own work. One such geta he displayed in his shop’s window and it became very popular with customers. They said it was a very cute and pretty style. That style was named “menkoi-geta”. The word “menkoi” is part of the dialect of Northern Honshu and means the same as “kawaii” which is Japanese for “cute” or “pretty”. Your children would enjoy these geta. They have been worn by Japanese people since old times. Mr. Kunitaro Yoshida, the originator of the menkoi-geta, owned the Geta Shop called “Yoshikuni’s” in Iwate. Yoshikuni is the predecessor of the present Akai-hanao-no-jojo. Tenga geta Tenga geta are one tooth geta. The tooth is replaced when it wears down.

Also referred to as ipponba (one tooth) geta. The single tooth is usually around 5 inches high Ashida Ashida geta have two teeth, the height of which can be short or tall. The most common ashida geta are only about two inches high. These are good for everyday wear in fair weather or light rain but, in the rainy season, puddles on the unpaved edo era streets were often deep, so deeper puddles called for higher geta, and the geta-makers (and their geta), rose to the challenge. They made geta with tall teeth; gakusei ashida geta, and ones with tall thin teeth, called takai geta (sometimes takageta), as the thin teeth keep splashing to a minimum. The tall ones are also sometimes called sushi geta because are reported to be worn by sushi makers in restaurants where the arrangement of a sushi bar requires some height and the scraps of raw fish tossed onto the floor instil a desire to not get too close to the ground. Gakusei-ashida Gakusei-ashida means ‘high geta for students’ and they have thick, high teeth.

These are also popular with Bankara students and high school male cheerleaders. Bankara students wear an all black school uniform full of patches and gakusei geta. This is traditional Japanese student-style. They have a lot of guts and stick to their principles. Bankara students Onna-kuronuri-hutatuba geta means ‘ladies’ two teeth black geta’. Pokkuri geta Pokkuri are worn by little girls and by maiko. They are also called okobo. See the maiko okobo section below for more information. Itaura geta The insole is rice straw matting. These geta looks a little like centipedes. The Japanese seldom wear these geta. Usually they are were worn at an ironworks or in a ship’s engine room to protect feet from iron scraps or engine oil. High heeled geta Geta do not usually have a right or left foot, the toe post is in the centre and the outer side of the foot slightly overhangs the sole. Recently, however, a popular Japanese women’s geta design has the toe hole not in the middle but offset, so that the geta have a definite left and right foot. These are influenced by modern shoes.

These geta’s characteristics are narrower for women and made with a clear foot shape. The traditional geta are very square but these new geta are more fashionable. Geta reeno Another high heeled geta but less extreme than the ones above. Ukon geta Ukon geta are women’s geta and are easier to wear than those with the high teeth. They can also be purchased with much squarer toes than those shown above, The ones in the picture are geta_ukon_kuro_onna, meaning, ukon geta in black (kuro) for women (onna). Ukon Shiraki In the picture above, you can see men’s ukon geta. Usually worn with casual yukata kimonos. Geta parts How to wear geta Zori Most women wear zori with kimono. Zori are thong toed, usually wedge soled, though sometimes flat shoes. You soetimes see zori spelled zoori or zouri. The thong toe on Japanese footwear is always attached at the front centre of the sole and worn with the big toe to one side and the rest of the toes to the other.

Western world flip-flops usually have the thong toe offset to one side, to allow the sole of the foot to lie centrally on the shoe sole but not so with Japanese ones (although the offset toe post is actually now just beginning to creep into a few contemporary designs of zori but, generally, the central post remains standard). Because the thong is central, the outer side of the foot often overhangs the side of the sole a little, as can be seen in the photos with maiko okobo, above, and the pair of black zori at the top of this blog entry. The heel often overhangs the back of the sole a little too. The images below show pairs of zori: one silk brocade covered pair, with matching clutch bag, one with beaded soles and thongs (hanao) and one pair of rain zori, designed to keep the feet dry. The black shoes shown at the top of this footwear blog post show zori worn with tabi socks. Brocade covered zori, with matching clutch bag Beaded zori Covered toe zori are called shigure and are worn on cold or rainy days Girls’ bunny zori How cute are these?

Irregular Choice Zori They tie at the ankles, with pompoms on the ties. That’s my daughter in the photos It’s hard to make out in the photo below but those Irregular Choice zori have a geisha holding a bangasa (Japanese parasol) on the bottom of each sole Men’s Footwear Men wear wooden geta, waraji and setta sandals, like the tatami waraji shown at the top of this blog post, or the footwear shown below. The white setta below are actually Buddhist monk’s sandals. Men’s geta Ryu (dragon) and shogi (Japanese chess pieces) pattern men’s setta Fukagutsu Traditional, Japanese, reed snow boots. Tabi With all this footwear, one wears tabi socks, designed to be worn with thong toes, unless wearing a casual, cotton yukata kimono, in which case one does not wear tabi. Another exception is the waraji sandals, often worn without tabi, especially by workers in rural areas. The older style of tabi is non-stretch, with kohaze fasteners, and the more contemporary style is stretchy and without fasteners.

Shoes are removed when entering a Japanese home; one walks on their scrupulously clean floors in one’s tabi socks or a pair of indoor tatami sandals. You can see tabi being worn in the photo at the very top of this footwear blog post, with the black zori. Tabi socks You can also get knee high, stirrup stockings, called kyahan, to wear under tabi. There is also other tabi toed footwear, such as jika-tabi, worn as outdoor tabi like ninja boots, worn in some martial arts or just worn casually. They are a 20th century creation. The example below is a pair of canvas, rubber soled tabi boots, with kohaze fasteners. Nike also recently produced a range of tabi toed trainer shoes and boots, called Nike Rifts, to introduce the acupressure effects of tabi toes to the sports trainer.

Contemporary tabi boots There are many other pairs of Japanese shoes on my website at Wafuku.co.uk and all sorts of other information about Japanese clothing and collectables ————————————– Make Your Own Geta There’s a great site called Instructables , with tips about various things and instructions on how to make all sorts of stuff. One thing I found there was instructions for making a pair of geta. You can see the instructions here . Perhaps you could make your own ashiato geta, like the children’s cute ones shown further up this post, with whatever footprint you choose in place of the two ha (teeth). ————————————— In Love With Traditional Japanese Clothing? You're Not Alone Follow Us In Love With Traditional Japanese Clothing? You're Not Alone Traditional clothing of Japan has always been a subject of curiosity and interest among ethnic and cultural enthusiasts, including travelers. The kimono is the most popular of the traditional clothes here, but there are other garments too which are worth a mention. Advertisement The way the people in Japan traditionally dress has been a topic of interest for a long time. With a different type of kimono for each occasion, be it formal or casual, the traditional attire of Japan is extremely fascinating.

The Japanese kimono and the yukata are two of the most commonly worn garments in the country. Here is a compilation of the varied pieces and accessories that go with the kimono. Kimono A kimono (\kə-ˈmō-(ˌ)nō, -nə\) is a full-length robe made of silk, worn by both men and women. While men have a simple black or brown-colored kimono, there are different designs of this for women. Traditionally, an unmarried woman wears a furisode (swinging sleeves) kimono, which has long sleeves (110 cm in length). Out of the 9 to 10 different styles of kimonos, a woman chooses one depending on various factors, such as her age and marital status, type and color of the garment used, its symbolism, and the sort of occasion. During winter, kimonos made of woolen fabric are worn more often. For funerals, a black kimono is worn by both sexes. Yukata The yukata is also a part of Japanese traditional clothing, and can be considered as a casual version of the kimono. People generally wear a yukata after bathing, which is a common sight at traditional Japanese inns.

These garments are meant to cool the body, are made from fabrics like cotton. Nagajuban This is a robe that takes the shape of a kimono, and is worn underneath it. Kimonos are usually made of silk, and because they are difficult to clean, a nagajuban is worn to avoid contact between the silk and ones skin. Only the edges of the nagajuban collar are visible from outside the main garment, that is, the kimono. Often, the collar of the nagajuban is covered or wrapped with a haneri for decorative and/or cleanliness purpose. Haori The haori is a loose-fitting, coat-like, knee-length garment. This formal-looking coat was originally worn only by men, but nowadays, it has become popular among women too. It is lightweight and generally used as a coat to keep the kimono clean. Haori himo The haori himo is a kind of tie-up, usually a woven string, which holds the haori together. The formal color of this tie-up is white. Hakama The hakama is a wide-pleated, ankle-length skirt. It has 7 pleats in all, 5 on the front and 2 at the back.

These skirts are always worn over a kimono and can be divided (umanori) or undivided (andon bakama). Traditionally, a hakama is tied around the waist, and over the obi (sash), with ribbons. In ancient times, the hakama was worn by the Samurais so that opponents would not be able to see their footwork. Today, both sexes wear this outfit, but in the earlier days, the hakama was worn only by men. Tabi Tabi are actually traditional Japanese socks worn by men as well as women. They are generally ankle-high, and have a separation between the big toe and the rest of the toes (divided-toe socks). The jika-tabi is often worn by workmen, since these are made of a durable material. Zori This forms a major part of Japanese traditional clothing. They are flat sandals often worn with the kimono. They can be made of cloth, plant fibers, rice straw, or leather. Geta are open-toe sandals that are described best as slip-ons or flip-flops. They are made of leather or cloth, and are mostly used for informal occasions, and are worn with the yukata.

Obi The obi was worn with many types of traditional clothing, such as the kimono. This is a kind of sash that is used by both sexes. It can conceal several other sashes that are worn beneath. Obis can be tied with various knots (musubi), each having a definite meaning. In the olden days, the knots were believed to keep evil spirits away. One can also see the obi worn with martial-art uniforms. The color of the obi denotes the rank of the individual. Obiage A pillow called obimakura is used to support the knot of the obi. An obiage is a piece of clothing that covers the obimakura. The obiage is significant in knowing the marital status of a woman. An unmarried woman always makes sure the obiage she wears is visible to others; as opposed to a married woman who hides it semi-discretely. Obijime The obijime is a string which is tied into a knot on the obi. The string can be made from different materials such as silk, satin, or can even be woven.

Generally, an obi is around 150 - 160 cm in length, with a different knot and material used for each occasion. Obidome are adornments placed over the obijime for decoration. Usually, whenever an obijime and obidome are opted for together, a thinner and flatter obijime is used. The usual ones are available in varied widths and lengths. Kanzashi Worn usually by women, this is a kind of hairpin that is used to hold a woman's hairdo in place. The appearance, nature and color of this hair ornament changes in accordance to the month or season of the year. It is usually sported by geishas and maikos, since they wear it more often. Japanese clothing is known for its highly-detailed work, given a woman's marital status and position in the concerned society. Even a minute flaw in the arrangement or choice of clothing is considered to be an insult or a mark of disrespect. Kashmira Lad

Question: What is the name of the dress traditionally worn by Japanese women
Answer: The kimono